Engineered Biopolymer Scaffolds for Pulp-Dentin Complex Regeneration

Dental caries can increase in severity if left untreated and result in deep carious lesions. Repairing these deep carious lesions routinely involves pulp capping, a procedure during which the tooth pulp can be accidentally exposed, allowing bacteria to enter the pulp and cause infection. Pulp capping failure rates are high, and retreatment may involve root canal or tooth extraction. This project aims to develop a bioactive, biocompatible, and cost-effective biomaterial for pulp-dentin complex regeneration. For that, porous scaffold using natural biopolymers—chitosan and nanocellulose—to support tissue regeneration will be developed using advanced manufacture methods of tissue engineering. Its bioactivity will be enhanced by incorporating calcium/phosphate-rich bioceramics, known for inducing odontogenic differentiation. By integrating tissue engineering principles, this study will advance next-generation strategies for pulp-dentin regeneration, bridging material science and clinical dentistry to improve patient outcomes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Maria Luísa de Alencar e Silva Leite

Student:

Partner:

Federal University of Parana

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Advanced Manufacturing; Natural Resources; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: